Chables x



ModeL) G. K. GILES.

WATCH CASE.

NO. 293,860 Patented Feb. 19, 1884 fiiilfiii'ii iii ji'fp r274 5 llama.

Stratus WATS l 'CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 293,860, dated February 19, 188;.

Application tiled Sepimnber 13, lrftl.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that i, GrmnLns K. (liLns, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in lVatch-Cases,which is fully set forth in the following specification, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a face view of a watch embodying my improvement; Fig. 2, a sectional view of the same, taken 011 the line a" a", Fig. 1, and on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3, an elevation of the central portion of the box; which receives the movement, on the same scale as Fig. 1; Fig. at, a similar view of the back cap on the same scale; and Fig. 5 a simi lar view of the independent center on the same scale, and with a section broken away.

My invention relates to a watch in which the center, front, and back are separate and independent parts, and is an improvement upon the invention described in an application heretofore filed by me, June 13, 1863.

The present invention consists in various special features of construction, which I will proceed to describe indetail, and will then point out definitely in the claims the special improvements which I believe to be new and I wish to protect by Letters Patent.

In the drawings, A represents a band or ring, of suitable shape and size to receive the movement of the watch. At its upper edge it is provided with an external screwthread section, a, and with an interior rabbet, a, which serves as a seat for the front plate of the movement. At its lower edge it is provided with an external threaded section, a and a similar internal section, a The bezel B has a crystal, O, mounted therein in the usual way, and is provided with an internal screwthread, Z2, whereby it is adapted to be turned on the up per edgeof the band, the bezel being of such size and shape as to fit the band in this rela tion. A back cap, D, is constructed to fit the inside of the band, and is provided with an external screw-threaded section, (I, adapted to fit the internal threaded section,c ,at the lower edge of the band, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. \Vhen this cap is screwed'into the band, it closes the back of the latter securely, but it does not project over the edge of the (Mufti) band to provide a bearing for the center. A

back plate, E, is constructed to fit the exterior of the. band, and is provided with an interior plate. It will be seen that, as the bezel is made removable from the band, the watchmovement can be placed in the latter at the front thereof, and so the band may be made somewhat smaller than when the bezel is in one piece or is rigidly attached to the band, for then the movement must be introduced at the back, and of course the band must be large enough to receive the front plate and dial of the movement.

In the construction here shown and described only the front portion of the band extending as far as the seat need be made aslai-ge as the front plate of the movement. In my present i improvement, as both the bezel and back plate are screwed to the band, they may be drawn down tight on the center, so as to make perfectly tightjoints, and at the same time hold the center in position, and by making the back cap of the band separate from the back plate I am enabled to more fully protect the move ment within the band. It will be understood, of course, that the bezel and back plate should be of the same material and such as is desired for the case, and of course the independent center is also of the same material, unless it is desired to make a contrast between the parts of the case of the watch, which is practically made up of the three independent pieces-thc bezel, back plate, and center. In applying my present improvement to act ual use, the watch-movement is placed within. the band at the front thereof, either before or after the back cap is attached. The bezel. is then screwed into the band, and the back 7 cap screwed into the latter, if it has not been previously attached. .The center is then slipped upon the band, adjusted in proper position,

and the back plate screwed onto the band and l the proji'acting portions of the bezel and back l eeaaeo ter, as will be seen from the examination of Fig. 2 in the drawings.

It is obvious that the band, bezel, and back cap, either with or without the back plate, may be used as a box for safely keeping and transporting the movement before the watch is set up for use. It will be understood, of course, that the parts may be adapted either to stemwinding devices or ordinary key-winding devices.

The construction of the center as an independent and removable piece enables me to make the design and ornament of this piece of varied styles, so that with the same bezel and back piece a center of different finish and design may be used; and, if desired, the center may be changed at any time, and, in fact, the other parts may be changed also, for bezel, back, and center may be made in quantity and struck up of uniform fitting and size, but different design.

This improvement may also be adapted to embody my invention of an anti-magnetic shield for watches, for which I have hereto fore made an application for Letters Patent,

June 13, 1883.

If the band and cap are made of suitable compact case for the watch when set up, and,

at the same time secure the several advantages which have been mentioned above. I do not wish to be understood. however, as limiting my improvement to the precise form and construction of the parts described and as shown in the drawings, for it is obvious that changes may be made in this direction without changing the main idea of the improvement. It will also be seen that a portion of the improvement may be obtained, even if the back cap should be made in one piece with the band, the bezel and back plate still remaining independent pieces screwed to the band, as described. This construction, however, I do not consider so desirable as the one shown in the drawings and described above.

In the present application I wish it distinctly understood that I do not claim anything shown in my prior applications filed May 31,1883, and June 18, 1883, or the application filed of even date herewith, for an improve ment in linings for watch-cases.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters an independent center adapted tobeplaced upon the band between the bezel and back plate, whereby both bezel and back plate are removably attached to the band by their threaded sections, and maybe adjusted thereon at pleasure to fix thelposition of the center and firmly clamp it between the two, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The circular band adapted to receive the movement of a watch, and threaded, as described, in combination with the screwthreaded bezel, the screw-threaded back cap, the screw-threaded back plate, and the independent center fitted to the exterior of the band, all constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

CHARLES K. GILES.

IVitnesses:

W. O. CoRLIEs, A. M. Bnsr. 

